teacher training

Matwork conversion course for qualified pilates teachers

UK National Standard L4

Level 4 Standard: Low Back Pain

More than 80% of the adult population suffer from low back pain at some time in their life. It is one of the most common reasons why people take time off work, and may be distressing and frustrating as quality of life often suffers.

Yet gentle, effective exercise, delivered by a properly trained exercise professional, can often help with the prevention and management of low back pain. This was underlined by the publication by NICE (National Insitute for Health and Clinical Excellence) in 2009 of medical guidelines recommending that people with persistent non-specific low back pain should be encouraged to stay physically active and exercise.

The resultant need for exercise professionals to be trained to the right level to work with referred clients was met by the creation of a Level 4 Advanced Exercise Instructor standard in April 2010. This is ratified by SkillsActive and overseen by The Register of Exercise Professionals. Low Back Pain is one of several conditions covered under the Level 4 standards.

Body Control Pilates was the first specialist training provider to receive approval for its Level 4 training course. The 'Back4Good®' programme is exclusive to Body Control Pilates. Qualified practitioners are already experienced Body Control Pilates teachers who have undertaken extensive training exclusively related to exercise referral and low back pain to become a Back4Good® Practitioner and a Level 4 Advanced Exercise Instructor.

This training has been externally accredited by SkillsActive and The Register of Exercise Professionals who oversee quality and standards for the UK health and fitness industry. All Back4Good® Practitioners are registered as a ‘BackCare Professional’ with BackCare, the charity for healthier backs.